Holy week 2009
The earliest followers of Jesus did not celebrate Christmas. For them, the major Christian holiday was Easter, and they actually saw every Sunday as a “mini-Easter “. In our culture, Christmas has taken over as the major event, and for many people, Easter is more about chocolate bunnies, candy eggs, and the coming of spring.
How do we reclaim the deep spiritual power and meaning of Holy Week and Easter? A reading of the scriptures chosen for these days can return us to the drama and passion of the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
Praying, and meditating upon the story may bring us face to face in a powerful way with the spectre of death, and the mystery of the resurrection. It is hard to spend time with the story and not also think about our own life, and death, and our hopes and fears about what lies beyond death.
You are invited to use the readings and prayers for each day of Holy Week to enhance your own spiritual life, and to prepare you for the worship services Trinity will offer during the Easter season.
April 5 Palm Sunday (communion service at 10 am)
The gospel for this day (Luke 19:28-40) contains hints of mystery and of glory. Jesus sends people ahead of him to Jerusalem, with the password by which they acquire the colt that Jesus will ride into the city. The Psalm reading for the day (Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29) is one of joyful thanksgiving. We who know the next chapters in the story remember how quickly the shouts of joy are overcome by cries of sorrow. How is it that the “hero” cheered by crowds is so quickly turned on, and condemned by the crowds?
Monday, April 6
Read John 12:1-1 This story describes the gesture the woman Mary makes to honour Jesus. What do we do in our daily living to honour Jesus? (other readings for today: Isaiah 42:1-9; Hebrews 9:11-15)
Dear God; May I honour Jesus today, in my words and deeds.
Tuesday, April 7
Read John 12:20-36. The writer of this gospel often uses the images of light and darkness to describe the struggle of people of faith to follow the way of Christ. Where are the glimmers of hope in this very dark story? (other readings for today: Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31)
Dear God; Help me to be a source of light in the world.
Wednesday, April 8
Read Hebrews 12:1-3. The writer of Hebrews was encouraging the reader to understand their own suffering and hardship in light of the experience of Jesus. Have you ever felt as if you were being persecuted, if not literally crucified, unjustly? Does your faith help you through such times? (other readings for today: Isaiah 50:4-9a; John 13:21-30)
Dear God; Help those who are unjustly persecuted.
Maundy Thursday, April 9 (worship service at 7 pm)
This day is also called Holy Thursday. The word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin words mandatum novum, “ a new commandment”, which is connected to Jesus words “ I give you a new commandment: love one another; you must love one another as I have loved you. “ (John 13:34) The traditional worship service for Maundy Thursday includes a commemoration of Jesus’ action of washing the feet of his disciples. This act of humility and generosity stands for us as a symbol of sacrificial, servant-like love. Read John 13:1-17, 31b-35. How can you love the people in your life in the way that Jesus loved his friends? (Other readings for today: Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Dear God; Who do I know that needs me to “wash their feet”?
Good Friday, April 10 (worship service at 10 am)
Read John 18:1-19:42. It has challenged believers for 2000 years to see good in the events of this day. The arrest, trial, and painful death of Jesus as presented in John’s Gospel are profoundly unsettling. As we think about Jesus’ death, we may be drawn to thoughts of our own mortality. We are brought face to face with the mystery of death, and our capacity to trust in God, even in the darkest times, is tested. It may be of comfort to hear Jesus despair, “ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” In the face of death, or even the thought of death, God may seem a very distant source of comfort. (Other readings for this day: Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22.)
Dear God; Help me face the reality of death.
Holy Saturday, April 11
We may wish to move quickly from the crucifixion of Jesus to the resurrection. Holy Saturday has traditionally been seen as a day to remain in mourning, and to experience the depths of our grief. We have read the story of Jesus’ death. Our hearts contain the memories of those in our lives who have died. It is good to be aware of our losses, and our feelings, and to offer all this up to God, in our prayers. We live in a death-denying culture, and our church, and the Christian faith is one of the few sanctuaries in which mourning is not only acceptable, but understood to be healthy. Readings for today: Job 12:1-14; Psalm 130; 1 Peter 4:1-8; John 19:38-42.
Dear God; Help me to come to terms with my grief, my fears, and my own mortality.
Easter Day April 12(worship service at 10 am)
Easter is the ultimate new beginning. From the depths of despair and mourning, the first followers of Jesus were raised to joy and excitement, and fantastic energy for a new way of life. In the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, they saw, and passed on to us, the victory of love over death. Read the account of that morning from John’s Gospel (John 20:1-18) out loud to yourself, or to friends and family. Do not try to interpret or explain the story, just allow the words, and the feelings they convey to wash over you. Christ is risen, praise be to God!
Other readings for this day: Acts 10:34-43; Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 ; Acts 10:34-43; Luke 24:1-12.
The first witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead felt compelled to share their news, and their excitement, with their closest friends and companions. Please join us for Easter Sunday at Trinity United Church.
